Domaine de la Fruitière Muscadet Sèvre & Maine sur lie “Gneiss de Bel Abord” - 2014 Wine Review

Sur Lie, French for “on lees” is something I learned more about because of this week’s Wine Wednesday feature the 2014 Domaine de la Fruitière Muscadet Sèvre & Maine sur lie “Gneiss de Bel Abord”. I’ve been exploring Muscadet and it was the mouthfeel of this one that stood out, For a light bodied wine, it had a noticeably round, silky, more viscous mouthfeel than others I’ve had -  giving it more structure and making it quite pleasing. Aging sur lie is quite common with Muscadet, but it was this particular Muscadet that caused me to take notice.

In winemaking, sur lie means that the wine is aged on its lees (grape or yeast). In this case, the lees are yeast particles that settle to the bottom of the vat.  During this process the yeast particles break down releasing sugars and proteins that interact with the wine chemistry. This can enhance the structure as well as the aromas and flavors of the wine. This wine, was aged on the lees or “sur lie” for 5 months.

From the Muscadet Sèvre et Maine Appellation (between the Sèvre and Maine rivers) in the Loire Valley of France, the wine is 100% Melon de Bourgogne.  On the nose -  slightly floral (orange blossom)  salinity and minerality.  On the palate, silky giving way to a crisp acidity with a lingering finish. We enjoyed this with Pan Sautéed Halibut seasoned lightly with salt, pepper and paprika over a wild rice medley and a side of grilled asparagus. Enjoy as an aperitif and with a Grilled shrimp cocktail or with Clams alla Puttanesca. To print or save the recipe pairing suggestions, click the links below.

Grilled Shrimp Cocktail

Clams alla Puttanesca

2011 Louis Méitaireau Carte Noire Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine Wine Review

This weeks Wine Wednesday feature, the 2011 Louis Méitaireau Carte Noire Muscadet -Sèvre et Maine was a lesson for me - a reminder that when you find something you like, don’t assume it will be there next time you go to purchase. I purchased this wine a few weeks ago but just tried it the other night and when I went to the wine shop yesterday I was told they had only gotten 1 case and wouldn’t be getting more - possibly because Muscadet is often believed to be best consumed young. Well, maybe I won’t get more of this vintage but I’ll keep asking and searching.  Of course we always want what we can’t have…. even more…..

This wine is from the Loire Valley of France, from the Muscadet -Sèvre et Maine sub appellation ( lies between the Sèvre and Maine rivers), and is an exception in that most French wines are named after the growing region or in some cases the varietal. Here it’s believed that the wine takes its name from a characteristic of the varietal Melon de Bourgogne simply referred to as Melon and described as vin qui a un goût musqué “a wine with a musk like taste”.

Rest assured however, no musk like taste here or, I know what you’re thinking, no melon either.  There is a wonderful earthiness or minerality that could by some possibly be perceived as musky. On the nose, orange blossom and a slight salinity. This is a light bodied wine with a crisp acidic finish and a steely earthiness on the palate. This wine begs for raw oysters, which is usually what I have when I see a Muscadet on a restaurant wine list. We enjoyed it with mussels and some crusty bread – oh I wish I had “savored the flavors” just a little more appreciatively. …… now I’m on a mission….. Also try with Boiled Shrimp Cocktail.  To print or save the pairing suggestions, click the links below.

Steamed Mussels

Boiled Shrimp Cocktail